Methane

Other Names

CH4, Marsh Gas

Definition

Methane, a colorless and inflammable gas, is most abundant in the troposphere Methane is a strong greenhouse gas and an important source of stratospheric water vapor that contributes to global warming. The concentration of methane has doubled since pre-industrial times. The atmospheric mixing ratio of methane is currently about 1.7 parts per million. This increase is attributed to the intensified human activity in the agriculture, biomass burning, and fossil fuel consumption. The atmospheric lifetime of methane is about eight years. It reacts with atmospheric hydroxyl(OH) in the troposphere froming the formaldehyde (HCHO),carbon monoxide(CO) and Ozone (O3).